Swimmer drowns in rip at Whanganui River mouth

A man who drowned when he was washed out to sea with two others near Wanganui yesterday was Blair James Nuku, 33, of Wanganui.

Police said Mr Nuku and two friends were swimming in an unpatrolled area of Castlecliff Beach, about 2km north of the Whanganui River mouth, when a rip swept them out to sea.

Bystanders managed to pull the trio ashore, but attempts to resuscitate Mr Nuku were unsuccessful.